Sailing craft rudders

ABSTRACT

The disclosure is of a sailing craft rudder of the kind comprising a rudder stock to which are fitted a tiller and a rudder blade, the rudder stock comprising a forepart formed of a length of extruded bar with a guideway receiving substantially Tshaped attachment portions of gudgeon brackets, and preferably this length of bar also has flanges and channels for the attachment of cheek plates and a cap or tiller.

United States Patent 1 Pearce 51 May 8,1973

[54] SAILING CRAFT RUDDERS [76] Inventor: Terry lfienneth Pearce, 25Hall Park Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, England [22] Filed: Aug. 13, 1971[21] Appl. No.: 171,695

[52] U.S. Cl ..1l4/l62 [51] Int. Cl. ..B63h 25/06 [58] Field of Search..114/39, 127, 128,

114/130-133, 136-139, 144 R, 144 A, 145 R, 162, 164-172; 244/87, 88;16/128-134,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,085,540 4/1963 Crabille..114/162 3,217,684 11/1965 Lapidas ..114/165 3,247,820 4/1966 White....114/145 R 3,269,347 8/1966 Koenig ..1 14/162 OTHER PUBLICATIONSBlandford, Percy W. Thoughts on Dinghy Rudders, The Rudder, November,1957, Vol. 73, No. 11, pp. 32-35.

Alter ..1l4/l65 R Primary ExaminerDuane A. Reger AssistantExaminer-Jesus D. Sotelo Attorney-Cushman, Darby & Cushman 57] ABSTRACTThe disclosure is of a sailing craft rudder of the kind comprising arudder stock to which are fitted a tiller and a rudder blade, the rudderstock comprising a' forepart formed of a length of extruded bar with aguideway receiving substantially T-shaped attachment portions of gudgeonbrackets, and preferably this length of bar also has flanges andchannels for the attachment of cheek plates and a cap or tiller.

7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures SAILING CRAFT RUDDERS INTRODUCTION ANDBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ventionally with a rudder of the kinddefined the blade is pivotally attached to the stock, the latter isshipped in an easily-removable manner on the dinghy transom by means ofa pair of gudgeons, and the tiller is pushed into a cap or one or morebrackets or an aperture provided at the top of the stock, which isusually made of wood.

Wooden rudder stocks are often quite bulky and heavy and costly to make,and it is not easy to produce economically a range of wooden rudderstocks bf different sizes and gudgeon-spacings to suit dinghies ofdifferent classes.

The invention is therefore intended to provide an improved sailingdinghy rudder of the kind defined.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there isprovided a sailing dinghy rudder of the kind defined, wherein the rudderstock comprises a forepart in the form of a length of extruded aluminumor light metal alloy bar having a cross-section which provides aguideway receiving substantially T-shaped attachment portions of gudgeonbrackets.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION Preferably the saidcross-section also provides two lateral flanges for the attachment oftwo cheek plates between which the rudder blade is located, andadditionally or alternatively it may provide two lateral channels sothat another length of bar of the same cross-section can be used as anupper part of the stock to receive the margins of a cap or tiller ofsubstantially C-shaped cross-section. Advantageously the gudgeonbrackets and/or the cap consist of lengths cut from extruded bars ofaluminum or light metal alloy of suitable cross-section.

The invention facilitates the economical production or stronglight-weight convenient rudders which can readily be adapted for usewith sailing craft of different classes or types, and thereby the rangeof complete rudders or parts needed by a storekeeper to meet mostpotential demans can be substantially reduced.

The scope of the monopoly sought is defined in the claims hereinafter,and how the invention may be put into practice appears from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings, in which preferredconstructions in accordance with the invention are illustrateddiagrammatically and by way of example,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS IN THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 beingviews showing the cross-sections of extruded metal bars for makingrudder stock foreparts, gudgeon brackets and caps or tillersrespectively,

FIG. 4 being a side view of an assembled rudder and tiller,

FIG. 5 a view showing a modified cross-section of an extrudedmetal bar,

FIG. 6 a sectional view of a gudgeon bracket,

FIG. 7 a detail view in section on the line AA in FIG. 8,

FIG. 8 a side view of a modified assembled rudder and tiller, and

FIG. 9 being a detail view in section showing how a gudgeon bracket issecured in a rudder stock forepart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a crosssection which provides a guideway 10 to receive substantially T-shapedattachment portions 11 (FIG. 2) of gudgeon brackets 12 and 12A (FIGS. 4and 8) cut from a bar having the cross-section shown in FIG. 2.

The cross-section shown in FIG. 1 also provides two lateral flanges 13for the attachment of check plates 14 between which the rudder blade 15(FIGS. 4 and 8) is located, being pivotally mounted by means of a bolt16.

The cross-section shown in FIG. 1 also provides two lateral channels 17so that a length of bar of this crosssection can be used as an upperpart 20 (FIGS. 4 and 8) of a rudder stock to receive the margins 18(FIGS. 3 and 7) ofa cap 21 (FIG. 4) or tiller 25 (FIGS. 7 and 8) ofsubstantially C-shaped cross-section.

FIGS. 4 and 8 show rudders each having a stock formed by a forepart l9and upper part 20 both of the cross-section shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5,two cheek plates 14, and two gudgeon brackets 12 and 12A cut from bar ofthe cross-section shown in FIG. 2 and providing T-shaped attachmentportions are secured in the forepart 19. All the parts of the stock aresecured together by appropriate means, preferably synthetic resinadhesive, and their outer surfaces are protectively finished byanodizing or lacquering or in any other suitable manner. After thebrackets 12 and 12A are cut from the extruded bar they are drilledthrough and the bracket 12 is furnished with a pintle 23 whilst thebracket 12A has a hole so that the rudder can be hung in the usualmanner on a complementary pair of gudgeons (not shown) on a dinghytransom.

FIG. 4 shows a stock in which a tiller 22 of hollow extruded metal ispushed into a cap 21 which is of the cross-section shown in FIG. 3, andlines 24 connected to the blade 15 are run over a fairlead 26 inside thestock to one or more cleats 27 on the tiller 22 so that the helmsman canraise and lower or fasten the blade 15 in a selected position. Thefairlead 26 consists of a short length of metal of semi-annularcross-section having its ends secured in correspondingly shaped slots inthe two cheek plates 14.

In the modification shown in FIG. 8 the tiller 25 is of thesubstantially C-shaped cross-section shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 and tapersand is pushed directly on to the upper part 20, the margins 18 of thetiller 25 being received in the lateral channels of the upper part 20. Ascrew 28 (FIGS. 7 and 8) extending transversely through the tiller 25 ofsubstantially C-shaped cross section can be tightened to preventundesired displacement of the tiller 25. FIG. 8 illustrates the tiller25 fitted with aheat-shrunk sleeve 29 of synthetic plastics material toform a comfortable grip, and an easilyremovable tiller extension rod 30connected to the tiller 25 by a bolt 31 which fits loosely so as toallow the desired freedom of movement between the tiller 2S and theextension rod 30. In another modification (not shown) a cap ofsubstantially C-shaped cross-section has its margins secured to theupper margins of the cheek plates and an upper part of rectangular crosssection is secured between the upper margins of the cheek plates.

FIG. illustrates a modified extruded metal bar cross-section whichprovides two internal flanges 32 so that the margins of the cheek plates14 are held between the respective flanges l3 and 32 when bar of thiscross-section is used to form the forepart 1:9 and upper part 20 of arudder stock. FIG. 5 also shows how the flanges 13 and 32 may be formedwith small longitudinal protuberances or splines 33 which cause a tightinterference fit with the cheek plates 14 and are deformed when thecheek plates 14 are fitted to the parts 19 and 20. In order to fix thecheek plates 14 still more securely to the parts 19 and 20 it ispreferred to provide rivets 34 as shown in FIG. 8,, fixing the cheekplates 14 to the respective flanges 13.

There are some variations in the spacings of rudder gudgeon brackets onthe stems of sailing craft, and it is therefore advantageous if thepositions and spacing of the gudgeon brackets 12 and 12A can beadjusted. For this purpose the forepart 19 of the rudder stock ispreferably provided with several suitably spaced holes 35 as shown inFIG. 9 to allow screws 36 to be passed through selected holes 35 andscrewed tightly into screw-threaded holes 37 in the gudgeon brackets 12and 12A.

Instead of or in addition to the lines 24 shown in FIG. 4 for holdingthe blade in the raised or lowered or other selected position, there maybe detent means as shown in FIG. 8, the blade 15 being provided in anarcuate portion of its edge with notches 38 for engagement by a detentbolt 39 guided in slots 40 in the cheek plates 14 and loaded by a strongcompression spring 41 located between the cheek plates 14. The spring 41can be constituted by one or more blocks or thick-walled sleeves ofrubber with or without stiffeners or guides of other material. Tensionspring means can be used instead of the spring 41, for example in theform of rubber bands or bungee stretched between the bolts 39 and 16 atthe outer sides of the cheek plates 14.

From the above description it may be readily appreciated that theinvention facilitates the economical manufacture of sailing dinghy andlike rudders 'in a range of convenient sizes and offering advantages inuse.

Various modifications may be introduced without departing from theinvention.

In one such modification (not shown) the cheek plates 14 and internalflanges 32 are not as shown in FIG. 5 but the cheek plates are providedwith small marginal flanges or beads and the internal flanges are ofcomplementary substantially L-shaped cross-section to lock the cheekplates to the forepart and upper part of the rudder stock.

A tiller to be pushed on to the upper part of the rudder stock, forexample like the tiller in FIG. 8, may be provided with an internaltransverse stop plate to engage the upper part 20 and locate the tillerin its longitudinal direction thereon. The tiller extension rod may beattached to the tiller by means of a small universal joint or any othermeans allowing sufficient freedom of motion of the rod 30, and there maybe a quick-release pin or other fastening means to facilitate rapidattachment or release of the rod 30.

The fairlead 26 for the lines 25 need not be positioned as shown in FIG.43, for example it may be positioned on the top of the forepart l9 andmay be secured thereto by a screw instead of having its ends in slots inthe cheek plates 14.

Instead of securing each of the gudgeon brackets 12 or 12A by a singlescrew 36 it is possible to use two or more screws with suitable spacingof the holes 35 and provision of tapped holes in the gudgeon brackets.

If a cap is secured directly to the upper margins of the cheek plates asolid or hollow upper part of rectangular or round or other shape may besecured between the upper margins of the cheek plates, or it is possibleto dispense with the upper part entirely if the cap is sufficientlyrobust or is of tubular form.

What is claimed is:

1. A sailing dinghy rudder comprising a rudder stock, two parallel cheekplates forming parts of said stock, and a rudder blade located betweensaid cheek plates, said stock further comprising a forepart in the formof a length of extruded metal alloy bar having a cross-section such thatsaid forepart has a forward-opening guideway of T-shape in cross-sectionand two rearward-extending lateral flanges, said two cheek plates beingsecured to said forepart each by means of a respective one of saidlateral flanges.

2. A rudder as claimed in claim 1, comprising two internal flangesforming integral portions of said forepart, said two internal flangesbeing between and parallel to said lateral flanges, each of said twocheek plates having a margin held between one of said lateral flangesand one of said internal flanges.

3. A rudder as claimed in claim 1, comprising two internal flangesforming integral portions of said forepart, said two internal flangesbeing between and parallel to said lateral flanges, each of said twocheek plates having a margin held between one of said lateral flangesand one of said internal flanges, longitudinal splines integral withsaid lateral flanges and said internal flanges being deformed and makingtight interference fits with said margins of each of said cheek platesrespectively.

4. A rudder as claimed in claim 1, said alloy bar having a cross-sectionsuch that there are also two lateral channels, a second length of saidbar being secured to said forepart and forming an upper part of saidstock.

5. A rudder as claimed in claim 1, said rudder blade being pivotablymounted between said two cheek plates and having an arcuate edge portionwith a plurality of spaced notches therein, a spring-loaded detent boltbeing movably guided in slots in said cheek plates for selectiveengagement with said notches for holding said rudder blade in anyselected one of several possi- 7. A sailing dinghy rudder comprising arudder stock, two parallel cheek plates forming parts of said stock, anda rudder blade located between said cheek plates, said stock furthercomprising a forepart in the form of a length of extruded metal alloybar having a cross-section such that said forepart has a forward-openingguideway of T-shape in cross-section and two rearward-extending lateralflanges, said two cheek plates being secured to said forepart each bymeans of a respective one of said lateral flanges, said alloy bar havinga cross-section such that there are also two lateral channels, a secondlength of said bar being secured to said forepart and forming an upperpart of said stock,

said rudder blade being pivotably mounted between said two cheek platesand having an arcuate edge portion with a plurality of spaced notchestherein, a springloaded detent bolt being movably guided in slots insaid cheek plates for selective engagement with said notches for holdingsaid rudder blade in any selected one of several possible positions, atiller of substantially C-shaped cross-section having portions of itsmargins located one in each of said two lateral channels of said upperpart, and a screw extending transversely through said tiller beingtightenable to secure said tiller in position on said upper part.

1. A sailing dinghy rudder comprising a rudder stock, two parallel cheekplates forming parts of said stock, and a rudder blade located betweensaid cheek plates, said stock further comprising a forepart in the formof a length of extruded metal alloy bar having a cross-section such thatsaid forepart has a forward-opening guideway of T-shape in cross-sectionand two rearward-extending lateral flanges, said two cheek plates beingsecured to said forepart each by means of a respective one of saidlateral flanges.
 2. A rudder as claimed in claim 1, comprising twointernal flanges forming integral portions of said forepart, said twointernal flanges being between and parallel to said lateral flanges,each of said two cheek plates having a margin held between one of saidlateral flanges and one of said internal flanges.
 3. A rudder as claimedin claim 1, comprising two internal flanges forming integral portions ofsaid forepart, said two internal flanges being between and parallel tosaid lateral flanges, each of said two cheek plates having a margin heldbetween one of said lateral flanges and one of said internal flanges,longitudinal splines integral with said lateral flanges and saidinternal flanges being deformed and making tight interference fits withsaid margins of each of said cheek plates respectively.
 4. A rudder asclaimed in claim 1, said alloy bar having a cross-section such thatthere are also two lateral channels, a second length of said bar beingsecured to said forepart and forming an upper part of said stock.
 5. Arudder as claimed in claim 1, said rudder blade being pivotably mountedbetween said two cheek plates and having an arcuate edge portion with aplurality of spaced notches therein, a spring-loaded detent bolt beingmovably guided in slots in said cheek plates for selective engagementwith said notches for holding said rudder blade in any selected one ofseveral possible positions.
 6. A rudder as claimed in claim 1, saidalloy bar having a cross-section such that there are also two lateralchannels, a second length of said bar being secured to said forepart andforming an upper part of said stock, a tiller of substantially C-shapedcross-section having portions of its margins located one in each of saidtwo lateral channels of said upper part, and a screw extendingtransversely through said tiller being tightenable to secure said tillerin position on said upper part.
 7. A sailing dinghy rudder comprising arudder stock, two parallel cheek plates forming parts of said stock, anda rudder blade located between said cheek plates, said stock furthercomprising a forepart in the form of a length of extruded metal alloybar having a cross-section such that said forepart has a forward-openingguideway of T-shape in cross-section and two rearward-extending lateralflanges, said two cheek plates being secured to said forepart each bymeans of a respective one of said lateral flanges, said alloy bar havinga cross-section such that there are also two lateral channels, a secondlength of said bar being secured to said forepart and forming an upperpart of said stock, said rudder blade being pivotably mounted betweensaid two cheek plates and having an arcuate edge portion with aplurality of spaced notches therein, a spring-loaded detent bolt beingmovably guided in slots in said cheek plates for selective engagementwith said notches for holding said rudder blade in any selected one ofseveral possible positions, a tiller of substantially C-shapedcross-section having portions of its margins located one in each of saidtwo lateral channels of said upper part, and a screw extendingtransversely through said tiller being tightenable to secure said tillerin position on said upper part.